Prologue

Your heart is beating a mile a minute. Not again. You can't go through this again.

They all stare at you with concerned, slightly scared eyes. Your own eyes drift to the corner of the room, where two children stand, leaning on each other for support. Your heart clenches when you see Marlene cry, running from Denzel and to her father. Denzel is staring at his feet, his fists clenched at his sides.

Where is Tifa? your mind asks, not accepting the fact that she is gone. Tifa can't be gone. She is always here, with the family you both share. You feel yourself start to panic, but your expression stays the same. Calm. Cold. Nearly apathetic.

You voice your thought aloud, and you nearly cry out in pain when Yuffie answers, seriousness in her expression for the first time in ages, 'No one knows, Cloud… A man came and- we only found Marlene and Denzel when we got here.'

Your eyes dart to Barrett, your voice cold.

'About an hour ago. Vincent took off to search, and we waited for you…' Even Barrett is scared, albeit pissed off. You understand. Someone was able to take out Tifa? It sounds nearly impossible.

You have your cell phone out, pressed to your ear and striding out the door. You mount Fenrir and in seconds are speeding far away from the bar.

You can't go through this again. Your sanity would not be able to withstand it.

It's much different this time.

For though you loved your mother, you loved Zack, and you loved Aeris…

You are in love with your childhood friend, Tifa Lockhart.

You can't go through this again.